Ohio State
Maryland
Bayne, McIntyre Spark 12-2 Victory Over Maryland – Ohio State Buckeyes
3/25/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 25, 2016
RELATED INFO: Highlights | Final Stats | 2016 Statistics | 2016 Schedule| 2016 Roster | Follow the Buckeyes on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Alex Bayne went three-for-three with a pair of three-run home runs and seven RBI as the Ohio State softball team (16-7, 1-0) erupted for 12 runs on 10 hits in a 12-2 run-rule victory over Maryland (7-21, 0-1) on Friday evening in the Big Ten opener for both teams.
THE SHORT STORY
Ohio State scored in each inning, getting five extra base hits and opening up a 5-0 lead after two innings to cruise to their fourth straight win. Bayne (3-3, seven RBI, double, two HR) and Maddy McIntyre (2-2, two doubles, four runs scored, one RBI) led an offensive attack that saw six different players collect hits. In the circle, Hursh allowed just two hits and struck out four to earn her team-leading eighth win of the year.
HOW THE RUNS WERE SCORED
After Hursh struck out three in the top of the first, the red-hot Buckeye bats got going with a double from Bayne, who drove McIntyre in from first (she reached on a lead-off walk). Ashley Goodwin then made the score 2-0 on a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Bayne.
Maryland was sat down 1-2-3 in the top of the second, which set the stage for a three-run bottom of the inning that was highlighted a two-run single up the middle by Erika Leonard and bases loaded walk by Cammi Prantl. The Terps were able to put a run on the board in the top of the third off the bat of Sarah Calta, who tripled center field. Ohio State’s answer in the bottom of the third, however, was a four-spot, with the biggest blow coming off the bat of Bayne, who blasted the first of her two three-run home runs to left center.
Now with a 9-1 lead, the Buckeyes surrendered a run in the top of the fourth when Destiney Henderson singled down the left field line. In the bottom of the inning, Kirk led off with a single through the left side. The next two batters were retired, but McIntyre kept things alive with her second double of the game, this one going to right center. Bayne then drove everyone home with a three-run blast to straight away center, giving her a career-high seven RBI.
In the fifth, Hursh walked the first two batters but then retired the next three to finish off the run-rule win.
STARS OF THE NIGHT
Alex Bayne: 3-3, seven RBI, four runs scored, two HRs, one double
Maddy McIntyre: 3-3, two doubles, four runs scored, one RBI
Bri Betschel: 2-3, two singles, two runs scored
IN THE LAST SEVEN
Ohio State has now won six of its last seven games, with two of those wins coming over ranked opponents (No. 18 Arizona State, No. 24 Fresno State). In those contests, Bayne is hitting .417 with 13 RBI, seven extra base hits (four home runs, three doubles) and 10 runs scored. She currently leads the team in RBI (25), home runs (10) and slugging percentage (.838). Two other regular starters — Emily Clark and Goodwin — are also hitting .400 or better.
NOTEWORTHY
• The eight wins this season for Hursh are a career high. Her previous high was seven last year as a sophomore. She continues to strikeout more than one batter per inning (73 Ks, 66.0 IP).
• Prantl reached base for the 15th consecutive game. Goodwin and Clark have also reached base in eight straight contests.
• Ohio State entered the game among the league leaders in on-base percentage and continued the trend on Friday, reaching base in 18 of 29 plate appearances. For the season, Buckeye batters are reaching base at a .405 clip, third best in the conference.
• Bayne has homered in three straight contests, including the go-ahead solo shot in last Sunday’s win over Cal Poly.
• Three Buckeyes made their home debuts tonight — Betschel, who had a pair of singles and played both center and right field, Clark, who started at second base, and Megan Choinacky, who came into the game as a pinch runner.
WHAT’S NEXT
Ohio State and Maryland continue their three-game series tomorrow with a 2 p.m. contest at Buckeye Field. Admission, as always, is free. The game will also be streamed live on BTN Plus.
